Barbara Veylupek

For a little girl who wasn’t supposed to live a week, she lived a pretty great life. Barbara Coon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 8, 1949 to Verna Laird Naylor and Max Jay Coon. She was born with spina bifida at a time when there wasn’t much known about the condition or how to treat it. Doctors said she probably wouldn’t live through the day, but with her parents’ love, determination and sheer stubbornness, Barb not only survived, but learned to walk, swim, ride a bike, drive a car, and even ride a horse. She was determined to not miss out on anything and enjoyed life to the fullest. Summers were the best time with Barbara. She would lay outside covered in sun tan oil with the radio playing and a spray bottle to stay cool. She would always burn. Once she and her older brother were caught setting a fire. Their punishment was to light matches until they were sick of it... that backfired and they had a ball.

Barbara married Kenneth LeRoy Veylupek on August 30, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Grantsville, Utah, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Bountiful, Utah. Ken has been a supportive and faithful husband and made sure Barbara was always well taken care of. They loved each other very much and were proud parents of many "hair people" (dogs)- mostly schnauzers and poodles. When we die and are reincarnated, we definitely want to come back as one of her dogs.

Barb worked at the Heidelberg Restaurant in the Three Gables Candy Shop in Farmington Utah. She worked at the Salt Lake Armory as a Secretary and at the Lakeview Hospital as a medical transcriptionist. She also worked as a cashier at the Salt Lake International Airport and at the Colorado Springs Airport. Her last job was at 175 Garage on West Temple for ABM Parking.

She was "Aunt Barcoo" to many nieces and nephews who she loved as her own and they adored her. Barb loved frosting and added extra to every cookie and piece of cake. She supplied red Jell-O at every family party and gave new mom's arms a rest by holding their babies. Barbara loved purple, Perry Mason and poodles. There are no words to accurately describe how much she loved purple. Despite her physical limitations, Barbara never complained and didn’t shy away from opportunities.

She served in many church callings including Relief Society President, primary counselor and primary teacher for many years. Barbara was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and believed in her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She has returned home to her Heavenly Father and her loving parents Max, Verna, and Donald Cleverly, where she can run, jump, climb, twirl, hop, dance, and wear all the purple high heels she can find.

She is survived by her husband Ken, brothers and sisters Max Coon  (Pat), Debby Rose (Mark), Frank Coon (Teri), Scott Cleverly, Chrisee Bennett (Aaron), nieces and nephews, and dogs Molly and Candy.

Funeral Services will be held July 28, 2021 at the Orchard 2nd Ward at 1:00 pm
Friends may call from 11:30 -1:00
Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park
4400 West 4100 South WVC